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Rugby Union

Captain Vickery blasts RFU for handling of Ashton's exit

19/04/2008

England captain Phil Vickery has criticised the Rugby Football Union (RFU) for their handling of the departure of former coach Brian Ashton.

Ashton was replaced by Martin Johnson this week but Vickery claims the way Ashton was undermined by rumours about his position before Johnson was officially unveiled was unprofessional.

Vickery believes Ashton's position was made virtually untenable by the manoeuvrings within the RFU and that the man who led England to the World Cup final at the end of last year should have been treated better.

He told the Daily Telegraph: "They say it's a professional sport but some old-fashioned manners don't go amiss. The way Brian has been treated has not been great. He did some heroic things for England and that ought not to be forgotten."

Vickery was appointed captain under Ashton but he is unsure whether he will retain those duties under the new set-up.

The prop, currently out for six weeks with a knee injury, says he will be happy to follow Johnson's leadership and just wants the chance to continue competing for a place in the starting XV.

He said: "I've spoken to Martin and whatever happens with the captaincy is not an issue. He will have his ideas on all that in his own time. I just want to keep performing and keep pushing."

Vickery says that having appointed Johnson the RFU must now back every decision the World Cup-winning captain makes as he feels there will be "tough times ahead" before England are back as the number one side in the world.